You may have heard the news that the US Congress passed a full-year continuing resolution to fund the federal government, avoiding a government shutdown. Our funding level for FY 2025 should be known in the next few days when details of the budget are published. It is important to remember that we would have not been affected by a federal government shutdown because several years ago we worked to achieve forward funding in which IAIA receives 75% of our fiscal year funding in July of each year and the remainder once the fiscal year congressional budget is enacted. Also, since we are congressionally chartered, only the United States Congress, rather than the Executive Branch, can reduce IAIA’s FY funding level. During my more than 17-year tenure as President, IAIA’s budget has been reduced only once when Congress enacted a five per cent across-the-board reduction for domestic programs (sequestration) in 2013.

With assistance from the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, other Indigenous organizations, and the New Mexican Congressional Delegation, we continue to monitor the potential adverse impacts of President Trump’s Executive Orders and take appropriate action to protect the IAIA. For example, we have drawn down the maximum allowable funding amounts for each of our federal grants. Given the intent of several of the Executive Orders to terminate federal workers and programs, freeze federal hiring, reduce federal funding, and pausing certain federal grants, we must remain vigilant.

Given recent events, there a reason for hope. Last week, 25 of the 52 positions terminated at Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU) and the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI) were reinstated. These positions are classified as ‘student facing’, including instructors, coaches, resident staff, and cooks. This week several federal court justices have ruled that all federal probationary employees should be immediately reinstated. The timeline for reinstatements is uncertain, but it should apply to all employees at Haskell and SIPI, US Interior, the US Department of Agriculture, and the US Department of Education. Unfortunately, terminated employees may be reluctant to return to their jobs with so much uncertainty regarding the future of federal employment. Although IAIA is federally funded, we are not federal employees and terminations and freezes on hiring have not been applicable to us.

We have been advised by our advocates in Washington, D.C. to expect budget reductions, if not in fiscal year 2025, probably occurring in fiscal year 2026. We have reasons, however, to remain optimistic. First, due to prudent fiscal management and planning, we have accrued a level of cash reserves that will sustain us in meeting the immediate challenges of any budget cuts over the next several years, while maintaining current levels of employees and programming. Second, in recognition of the federal government’s trust responsibility and the unique pollical status of American Indians and Alaska Native, historically there has been bipartisan support for Tribal programs. Recently, the New Mexico Congressional Delegation, as well Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Representative Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma) have urged federal agencies to exempt Tribal programs from Executive orders and actions relative to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), termination of programs, and budget cuts.

Finally, notwithstanding the noise and actions emanating from the federal government, we must remain focused on our work and studies to ensure student success and fulfill our mission to empower creativity and leadership in Indigenous arts and cultures. Again, it is imperative that we remember that IAIA was founded by visionary artists who believed in advancing Indigenous arts and philosophies in 20th century America. Their confidence and strength were instilled by their parents and grandparents, who were raised when the “Indian” in us was to be eradicated. They understood that our ways of life were of value to all people and stayed on course so that we could be here today, pursuing our dreams and blending mainstream culture with our ancestors’ visions. We are Indigenous to this land. Thus, our land, waters, mountains, prayers, songs, arts, and stories know us and will sustain and guide us as they did generations before today. Let us always keep our unique legacy in mind and remain optimistic about our future.

Have a great weekend and Spring Break,

Dr. Robert Martin (Cherokee Nation)
IAIA President